Speaking in October, Will Tanner, former Deputy Head of Policy at 10 Downing Street and special advisor in the Home Office, spoke of the risks and opportunities for both Labour and Conservative parties at this time of great political upheaval and uncertainty.

To an audience of sixth form pupils from Westminster and Harris Westminster Sixth Form, Mr Tanner explained how the values and voting patterns of the British electorate are changing, and gave his insider’s view of Theresa May’s resignation.

Now a Director at Onward, a ‘mainstream conservatism’ thinktank, he suggested that if both Conservative and Labour parties want to appeal to a broader electorate, they will need to soften their more progressive policies and look to the north of England to sway voters. As the talk progressed, the floor was opened for a Q&A where pupils asked questions on topics such as the levelling up agenda, UK’s changing electoral geography and Tanner’s insider’s opinion of the downfall of Theresa May government in 2019. Whilst being diplomatic in all his replies he offered a unique insight into the former PM’s demise, saying: “the real reason for it to happen was calling a snap general election which failed to win a majority.”

Politics Society member Wylie (Remove, HH) said: “Will Tanner’s discussion of past political twists and turns and future electoral insights serves as a fresh perspective on a particularly precarious moment in British politics. It’s a discussion of extra importance for us, the students who have it within ourselves to determine just what this political future might be.”